THE PASSOVER PATTERN: REDEMPTION ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE (3)

FROM PASSOVER TO COVENANT — COMMUNION ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE

Luke 22:14–20 KJV 1900

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

(Additional scriptures: Exodus 12; 1 Corinthians 10:16–21; 1 Corinthians 11:23–32; Hebrews 9–10)

INTRODUCTION

We have established that Passover is God’s pattern of redemption, and that Jesus fulfills that pattern completely as the Lamb. Now we arrive at a critical moment—the transition from Passover to what is often called Communion.

This transition is not the creation of a new ritual. It is the unveiling of the true meaning behind what Passover always pointed to.

Luke 22:15 “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer”

Jesus anchors what He is about to say in Passover—not outside of it.

What happens in that upper room is not disconnected from Exodus 12. It is the fulfillment of it.

Key concept: Covenant Strong’s G1242 – “diathēkē” Meaning: a testament, a binding agreement, established by sacrifice

Communion is not a ceremony. It is covenant participation.

MAIN POINTS

JESUS REDEFINES THE ELEMENTS WITHOUT ABOLISHING THE PATTERN

Scripture: Luke 22:19–20

“This is my body which is given for you…” “This cup is the new testament in my blood…”

Jesus does not remove the elements—He reveals their meaning.

– The bread is no longer just unleavened bread → it represents His body – The cup is no longer just part of a meal → it represents His blood

He does not say: “Stop this and do something new.”

He says: “This is what it has always been pointing to.”

This is critical.

Modern Christianity often: – either replaces Passover entirely – or reduces Communion to a ritual

But Scripture shows continuity with revelation.

“THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME” IS NOT RITUAL—IT IS ALIGNMENT

Scripture: Luke 22:19

“This do in remembrance of me”

The word “remembrance” is not casual memory.

It is covenant awareness—actively recognizing what His sacrifice accomplished.

This is not about frequency. This is not about tradition.

It is about recognition.

Every time this is done, it is a declaration: – His body was given – His blood was shed – His covenant is in effect

Without that awareness, it becomes empty form.

COMMUNION CAN BE TAKEN UNWORTHILY

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27–29

“Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily…”

This is where modern practice often departs from Scripture.

Paul does not warn unbelievers here—he warns believers.

Unworthy participation includes: – lack of discernment – treating it casually – separating it from its meaning – living in contradiction to what it represents

“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself…”

This is serious.

Communion is not harmless ritual. It is covenant engagement.

DISCERNING THE LORD’S BODY

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:29

“…not discerning the Lord’s body”

To “discern” means to recognize, distinguish, and understand.

There are two dimensions here:

– His physical body given in sacrifice – His body now expressed through His people

To take Communion without recognizing: – the cost of His sacrifice – the call to unity – the seriousness of covenant

is to miss what it represents.

Passover required awareness. Communion requires discernment.

EXAMINATION BEFORE PARTICIPATION

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:28

“But let a man examine himself…”

Notice what Scripture does NOT say: – It does not say “avoid it if you feel unworthy” – It does not say “only the perfect may partake”

It says: Examine yourself.

This is not about perfection—it is about honesty.

– Am I aligned with what this represents? – Am I walking in what His blood accomplished? – Am I holding onto what He died to remove?

Passover required preparation. Communion requires examination.

FROM HOUSE TO LIFE — CONTINUAL COVENANT

In Exodus: The blood was applied to a house for one night.

In Christ: The covenant is lived continuously.

Hebrews 10:19–22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…”

This is no longer a moment—it is a way of life.

Communion is not meant to be: – confined to a schedule – limited to a setting – reduced to a ritual

It is a continual awareness: I live under the covenant of His blood.

FELLOWSHIP, NOT RITUAL

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?”

The word “communion” means fellowship, participation, sharing.

This is not symbolic distance—it is spiritual participation.

Communion means: – we partake in what His blood accomplished – we share in the benefits of His sacrifice – we live in the reality of His covenant

APPLICATION

This brings us to a critical point:

Communion is not something you do out of routine. It is something you enter into with understanding.

The questions become:

– Am I discerning what this represents? – Am I living in alignment with His covenant? – Am I treating His sacrifice with weight and honor?

Passover teaches: The blood must be applied.

Communion teaches: The covenant must be lived.

CLOSING INSIGHT

There is a shift happening where God is calling His people out of empty form and into living truth.

Communion is not meant to be mechanical. It is meant to be meaningful.

Some take it out of habit. Some avoid it out of fear.

But Scripture calls for something deeper: – understanding – examination – alignment

This is not about how often you take it. It is about how real it is when you do.

God is not looking for ritual participation. He is looking for covenant people.

When you partake, you are declaring: His body was given for me His blood established a covenant And I am walking in what He paid for

“Take heed to your life, and the power of communion will not be lost to you; neglect your walk, and the table will become a form without fire.” —Leonard Ravenhill